Site update: Top commentators’ widget, link love and new theme
ADVERTISEMENT
In my last post, “What is Google Juice“(if you don’t know what it is, I recommend checking it out immediately), I had plenty of comments - the highest so far.
I was overwhelmed, because I wrote that post as a quick know-how. Talk about unexpected results! There were some mini arguments along the comments too.
I thought that the comment spree would die after that post, as had been the case in the past(example 1, 2), but I was so wrong. In my last post asking for feedback, which was posted early morning, I had the comments of those three guys withing 6 hours. Talk about response!
I just hope that this goes on. To help the cause, I have installed the “Top Commentators’ plugin”. I will soon hold a contest, with a $25 gift at stake, for the leading commentator in the next 20 days - so stay tuned for details. Also, I will have LinkLove posts, linking to the best articles of my Top Commentators. All you have to do is comment your way to the top.
I just love reading comments, be it suggestions, arguments, flaming or nice words. Unless your comment is spam, it will not be deleted. So get those comments in!
In the last 5 days, I have not posted. I have been working on a new theme built from the ground-up by me. The design isn’t exactly ground-breaking - I just wanted to learn to make WordPress themes, and this was some good practice. I started off by collecting the sample codes required to begin, and after reading up instructions, I dared to do what I have been holding back from, for over 2 months. Of course, to many of you, building WordPress themes might be like sipping coffee. To me, it was very hard because I did not have the right software tools for the job. But now, I have the right tools, and that changed things a lot(more on the essential tools later).
The end result is not extraordinary when compared to other themes, but this is my first theme, and I plan to work on it to improve it later.
Here are some screenshots:
- This is my doodles in Math period, when I got bored in a big way. That was the birth of the theme:
- Here’s the early stages of the design:
- And of course, here’s what things look like, now:
So how is it? Is it better than the present theme? Give me your thoughts - remember, your suggestions determine whether the design comes off the shelf, or burns at the stake 
Update: There seems to be some major bugs with the theme. I’m sick of bugs! I guess they happen to everyone. I’ll start from scratch soon, and hope to put the theme up in the near future.
Shankar Ganesh said on June 10th, 2007
Dude, I like those sketchings. Good luck with the theme. Hope you’ll come out with a lovely one.
Post authorSumesh said on June 10th, 2007
Yeah, just a quick one it was, indeed. But the pic was shot in dark conditions - so its so dark. Maybe I should consider replacing it with a better looking photo.
Ashwini said on June 10th, 2007
Its always good to have a theme of your own.The present theme you are using is quite neat and well managed.
And I can see that only sidebar in your new theme.
Best of luck with your 18 th design makeover
Always try to build a neat theme.And is it a fluid design?
Post authorSumesh said on June 10th, 2007
There are some minor bugs for image alignment. Other than that, I am ready to take it for a spin.
There IS only one sidebar in my new theme.
I am impressed - you remember that this is the 18th?
The design is pretty neat now. I hope I won’t mess it up when I get bored of the look
And no, it is not a fluid theme - fluid themes have some challenges, like flexible background images. I do not want to waste my time on that. Currently, the design is optimised for 1024×768. Hope you’re not using anything less than that
Linu said on June 10th, 2007
Well, whenever I feel some post are worthy to be commented… I fill up those four feilds with my views and hit the button “Submit Comment”
Its hard for me to drop a comment on your new theme, since it is not a big screen shot. But I am sure, it will be a great experince for you to create a new theme and in future you could come up with more better themes..
Although I have customized many theme to suit my needs, I have not even thought of making a theme of my own. I manage couple of dozen website on deffrent Viral Internet Marketing topics, so it may not be possible with me.
Anyway, I am looking forward to see your own designed theme.
By the way, among your comentors, I think I am the elder one (28)
Post authorSumesh said on June 10th, 2007
Linu, its not a big screenshot because I don’t want to reveal the details - I don’t even know if it will be used, as there are some bugs.
And yes, you are the senior-most commentator in the list. It is not because you are old, but that we are young
Linu said on June 10th, 2007
I am online now..watching your Theme change Progress…
Post authorSumesh said on June 10th, 2007
Neah, the images are all screwed up in the new theme. I guess I will have to postpone it to next weekend
Linu said on June 10th, 2007
Link Pointing to “Raj” (at the Bottom) is leading to a suspended hosting page. Ask the guy to pay the bill
Check the Archive! it is Error 404
Post authorSumesh said on June 11th, 2007
Thanks for the feedback, dude…I need more of it.
Fixed the errors.